By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 1: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has urged the government to consult with stakeholders, including representatives of indigenous peoples and minority communities, before implementing changes to the MyKad.
In a statement, PBDS Dr John Brian Anthony was referring to recent discussions concerning the inclusion of the Jawi version of names on the MyKad.
According to The Star, last Wednesday (Aug 27), Tumpat MP Mumtaz Nawi urged the government to allow the use of Jawi script as an option in the version of names listed on the MyKad as well as other official digital documents.
Mumtaz, who is from PAS, argued that there are inconsistencies in the spelling of Jawi names across various documents, including marriage certificates in different states, religious secondary school certificates, and higher religious education certificates throughout the country.
In response, John said that the issue must be approached with balance and sensitivity.
“PBDS fully respects Jawi as part of Malaysia’s rich cultural and historical heritage. However, the inclusion of Jawi in MyKad should not be seen as a matter of compulsion or politicisation, but rather as a reflection of inclusivity.
“MyKad is a national identity card representing every Malaysian—Dayak, Malay, Chinese, Indian, and all other ethnic groups.
“Therefore, any changes must take into account the multilingual and multicultural reality of our nation, particularly in Sarawak, where Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and other native languages form the backbone of our cultural identity,” he said.
He added that the MyKad should remain a unifying document, reiterating PBDS’s stand that cultural heritage must be respected, but national identity must always reflect fairness, inclusivity, and the equal recognition of all communities who call Malaysia home. — DayakDaily
